Sajid Javid must deliver a UK budget that works quickly – a tricky task

The Tories need to satisfy their new northern voters fast. Not easy given the economic problems are structural

In politics, the year just gone will be remembered for a number of reasons. It recorded a change of prime minister, a spell when the executive lost control of the parliamentary agenda, and a general election. One thing it won't be remembered for is its budget: 2019 was the first year since the Napoleonic wars that there was no big day out for the chancellor of the exchequer.

By the time Sajid Javid stands up in the House of Commons on 11 March it will have been more than 15 months since Philip Hammond delivered the last budget. For those who can't remember - most people, in all likelihood - Hammond's main announcement was extra money for the NHS.

Related: The Tories need to turn on the spending taps in the north now | Larry Elliott